Written Answers Nos. 1464-1489
1464. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the supports available through the HSE QUIT smoking cessation service for people seeking to stop using nicotine products; if these supports include smoking cessation supports for users of e-cigarettes/vapes and oral nicotine products such as nicotine pouches; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39945/26]
View answerAs this is a service-level query it has been referred to the HSE for direct response.
1465. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39966/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1466. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if she will review the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39994/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1467. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number and location of respite services available to people resident in County Donegal; the hours the facilities are open; the number of people on waiting lists for the facilities, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40024/26]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1468. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Health the timeline for a decision by the HSE drugs group regarding the reimbursement of risdiplam for adults living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40025/26]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical devices; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1469. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to prevent foetal alcohol syndrome; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40045/26]
View answerOn 5th February 2026, the Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, published the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026–2029, An integrated, equitable and evidence-based response to drug and harmful alcohol use.
A public consultation was held on the draft strategy and has now concluded. All submissions will be carefully considered as the strategy is finalised.
In parallel, and to support effective implementation of the strategy, a collaborative engagement process is being undertaken to review the regional governance arrangements for delivery of the National Drugs Strategy and to ensure their alignment with the HSE Health Regions. An independent facilitator has been appointed to lead this process, which will involve all relevant stakeholders and will conclude in June 2026.
The finalised strategy will take cognisance of the outcomes of the public consultation, the report of the Joint Committee on Drugs Use, and the findings of this engagement process on regional governance. It will be brought to Government in July 2026.
It is my intention that the finalised strategy will set out an equitable and evidence-based response to drug use, reflecting the Government’s ongoing commitment to reducing harms through a health-led approach.
1470. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Health the number of operations that were scheduled at Beaumont Hospital, the Mater Hospital, St. James's Hospital and CHI but were cancelled in the past five years. [40054/26]
View answerI fully acknowledge the distress and inconvenience for patients and their families when hospital appointments are cancelled, particularly in the case of clinically urgent procedures.
While every effort is made to avoid cancellation or postponement of planned procedures, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that planned procedures and operations can be postponed or cancelled for a variety of reasons including capacity issues due to increased unscheduled care demand.
Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically aligned and prioritised way, hospitals follow HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
Cancelled hospital procedures/appointments are, where appropriate, rescheduled as early as possible with priority given to patients requiring time-sensitive and urgent treatment. Patients that are cancelled are rescheduled with the next available appointment based on their clinical prioritisation, with urgent patients prioritised for access.
In relation to the particular queries raised, as these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1471. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently awaiting access to home support services in County Cork; the measures being taken to reduce waiting times and increase capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40055/26]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1472. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Health the summer respite activities and programmes planned for service users of St. Joseph's Foundation in Cork in 2026; the number of persons expected to benefit from these activities; the funding allocated for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40056/26]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1473. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the backlog for patients needing vascular and cardiac procedures; the number of people in the State on such waiting lists; the actions that are being taken to reduce waiting times to ensure swift medical attention and to avoid the serious complications that can result for patients being forced to wait; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40079/26]
View answerCardiovascular Health is a priority in the Programme for Government. It commits to building on National Cardiovascular Policy and developing a new and more ambitious plan, enhancing patient care and timely access across all regions.
The National Review of Adult Specialist Cardiac Services (NRCS) was published in April 2025. This review provides a detailed, evidence-driven analysis of cardiac services across the Country.
It makes 23 recommendations. I have accepted these, and the HSE has developed an implementation plan in this regard.
In relation to the specific query raised, national waiting list information by hospital, specialty, and time band is published monthly by the NTPF on its website: [www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm] .
The information is now being made available through an interactive visual tool which provides users with a much-improved way of accessing and analysing waiting list information.
1474. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health for a detailed update as of May 2026 on a CAMHS assessment for a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40116/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1475. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the efforts her Department or the HSE have made to secure supplies of a Covid-19 vaccine (details supplied); the specific steps taken since 2023 to obtain supplies; if any formal requests for the allocation of doses have been submitted through EU or national procurement channels; if interim mechanisms have been explored; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40157/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1476. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the timeline for a decision regarding the reimbursement of a treatment (details supplied) for adults living with spinal muscular atrophy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40158/26]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical devices; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1477. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health the rationale behind the reduction in funding to an organisation (details supplied); the process by which this funding decision was made; whether an assessment was carried out of the impact such reductions would have on service provision and supports for individuals with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40188/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1478. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of dietician hours delivered in the community in 2025; the number of patients; the cost of delivering dietician hours in the community in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40198/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1479. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if she will provide data on average waiting time for public patients referred by their GPs to see consultant dermatologists in each CHO; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40229/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1480. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant home support staff posts in South Tipperary; the measures being taken by the HSE and Government to recruit additional frontline home support staff in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40242/26]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1481. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to reports of elderly persons in South Tipperary going without home support services on certain days due to staff shortages, sick leave, annual leave and the HSE recruitment freeze; the steps being taken to ensure continuity of care for vulnerable older persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40243/26]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1482. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the timeline for lifting recruitment restrictions affecting home support services in south Tipperary; the number of home support workers who have retired or left the service in the past two years and have not been replaced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40244/26]
View answerAs this a recruitment matter we have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy.
1483. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the contingency measures in place where elderly persons are left without home support for extended periods due to staffing shortages; the actions being taken to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions arising from lack of community care supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40245/26]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1484. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health if additional funding or emergency staffing resources will be provided to home support services in South Tipperary in order to address significant staff shortages currently affecting elderly care in the community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40246/26]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1485. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the number of applications that are currently outstanding with CORU. [40247/26]
View answerAs requested by the Deputy, please find below a table outlining the number of applications that are currently in progress with CORU by profession as of 30 April 2026. CORU has advised that these applications in progress will include –
• Applications checked in full and queued for the next available registration board meeting for review and decision,
• Applications submitted for review which need to be formally checked by CORU,
• Applications checked by CORU which require outstanding documentation/details,
• Applications assessed for international qualification recognition which require a compensation measure,
• Applicants who have selected to take an Aptitude test or Assessment of Professional Competence (AoPC). An AoPC is required for applicants who do not hold a relevant qualification and need to demonstrate they meet the necessary standards of proficiency to practise safely and competently to progress their registration.
• Applicants who have been reviewed and are required to complete a period of return to practice.
|
Profession |
Count |
|
Dietitian |
80 |
|
Dispensing Optician - General |
13 |
|
Medical Scientist |
431 |
|
Occupational Therapist |
84 |
|
Optometrist |
218 |
|
Physiotherapist |
524 |
|
Podiatrist |
22 |
|
Radiographer |
281 |
|
Radiation Therapist |
36 |
|
Social Care Worker |
15,243 |
|
Social Worker |
454 |
|
Speech and Language Therapist |
67 |
|
Grand Total |
17453 |
1487. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the number of social workers who have been registered with CORU in each of the years 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026. [40249/26]
View answerAs requested by the Deputy, the total number of social workers registered with CORU at the end of 2024 was 5,638, as published in CORU's 2024 Annual Report.
Data provided by CORU indicates that this number increased to 6,044 social workers at the end of 2025 and to approximately 6,279 at the end of April 2026.
1488. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the number of social care workers who have been registered with CORU in each of the years 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026. [40250/26]
View answerThe title of “social care worker” became legally protected on 1 December 2025. This occurred after a transitional registration period that ran from 30 November 2023 to 30 November 2025.
CORU's Annual Report 2024 states that there were 1,139 social care workers on the register at end-2024, the first year that new registrants were put on the social care workers register.
In 2025, data provided by CORU indicates that 4,502 social care workers were registered with CORU while figures to end-April 2026 indicate approximately 5,796 social care workers were registered with CORU.
1489. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the current processing time for applications to register with CORU for social workers and social care workers. [40251/26]
View answerCORU has advised my Department that, as of April 2026, the median processing time for both social care workers and social workers is five days. It is important to note that this median figure is from the time that CORU deems an application 'complete' (i.e. the application has been reviewed by CORU and all the required items have been confirmed) to when an applicant is registered.
